The fake press release, which is suspected to be an “elaborate fraud” by the distribution firm that published the document, was sent out at 4:17 a.m. ET on Friday. It stated that Samsung was buying FingerPrint Cards AB, a biometrics company that develops fingerprint-verification technology, for $650 million in cash.

Both of these companies have been in spotlight in Sweden, especially after Apple Inc. last month released its new iPhone 5s, which features fingerprint-recognition technology.

The fake release featured fabricated quotes from Samsung’s co-chief executive officer, Kwon Oh-hyun, and FingerPrint CEO Johan Carlstrom, and was distributed by Cision AB, a Swedish company that specializes in distribution of press releases.

Within half an hour of the announcement, however, Cision and FingerPrint retracted the release, along with an excuse to investors. Samsung also confirmed that the release was fake.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq OMX Stockholm stock exchange suspended trading in FingerPrint and Precise Biometrics, and said trades in the companies during the incident will be canceled.

Trading in the two companies was later resumed, and the matter has been reported to the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority.

Cision said it has conducted a preliminary investigation of the incident, which it said “shows that the company followed its procedures.” Cision added that it has been subject to an “elaborate fraud” and that it has reported the incident to Swedish police for further investigation.